From “A group of Andros Island Men”, Andros Island, The Bahamas, 1935

Source: The Mary Elizabeth Barnicle, Zora Neale Hurston, Alan Lomax Collection at the Archive of Folk Culture, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress AFC 509 A3.

When I made this recording I altered and extended the lyrics to honor a great friend, the late Jim Jewell of the Isle of Wight who build a beautiful steam launch for his wife Madge (in her honor I meant to re-name it the Lady Margaret but – oops – sang Lady Violet instead).

1. The day is so long and the wages so small,
   Oh the day is so long and I want to go home.
2. Come on now Sally and leave us go home,
   The day is so long and the wages so small.
3. The day is so long and the wages so small.
   Come on mister Captain come give me my money.
4. I gone tell you now who it was built this fine boat
   That boat, that boat, we launching today.
5. I gone tell you now who did build this good boat.
   It was Jim Jewell who build that good boat.
6. I want to tell you now what that good boat now she name
   Oh they gonna name her the Lady Violet.
7. Let us now go and launch this good boat
   you still gotta work on and launch that good boat
8. Pull this boat down into the water
   We pulling this boat down into the sea, baby
9. Lady Margaret is now down on the water
   Look at that good boat now into the water
10. The day is so long and the wages so small
    The day is so long and the wages so small.